The political and security situation in Bangladesh has entered a deeply turbulent phase as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a scathing attack on the Yunus-led interim government, accusing it of empowering extremist forces, fuelling violence, and deliberately manufacturing hostility towards India. Her remarks come amid a surge in unrest across the country, marked by protests, attacks on institutions, and rising concerns over the safety of minorities and foreign diplomatic missions.

In a detailed email interview, Hasina warned that the developments unfolding in Bangladesh pose serious risks not only to the country’s internal stability but also to regional security in South Asia. She asserted that the interim administration lacks democratic legitimacy and is presiding over what she described as a dangerous erosion of law, order, and constitutional governance.

Sheikh Hasina’s strong criticism of the Yunus regime

Sheikh Hasina, who served as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister for multiple terms and remains one of the country’s most influential political figures, did not mince words while criticising the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus. According to her, the rise in violence and anti-India sentiment is not spontaneous but “manufactured by extremists who have been emboldened by the Yunus regime.”

She alleged that extremist elements, once on the fringes, have now found space and legitimacy under the current leadership. These forces, she claimed, have been involved in attacks on Indian diplomatic premises, domestic media houses, and religious minorities, while facing little to no accountability.

Hasina further alleged that individuals responsible for such actions have been rewarded rather than punished, with some being placed in positions of influence or released from prison despite prior convictions linked to terrorism.

Concerns over attacks on India-linked institutions

A major theme in Hasina’s remarks was the growing hostility towards India, a country she described as Bangladesh’s most steadfast friend and partner for decades. She said New Delhi’s concerns over the safety of its diplomats were fully justified, given the attacks and protests targeting Indian institutions.

According to Hasina, a responsible government would have acted decisively to protect diplomatic missions and uphold international norms. Instead, she accused the interim leadership of granting immunity to violent actors and glorifying them through rhetoric that labels hooliganism as heroism.

She stressed that such actions undermine Bangladesh’s credibility on the global stage and risk isolating the country diplomatically at a time when regional cooperation is crucial.

Faith in Bangladesh’s constitutional institutions

Despite her sharp criticism, Hasina said her faith in Bangladesh’s constitutional foundations remains intact. She emphasised that the country has a strong constitutional tradition and that justice would eventually prevail once democratic governance and judicial independence are restored.

She expressed confidence that an independent judiciary would acquit her of charges she described as politically motivated. Reiterating her commitment to the nation, she said she would willingly return to Bangladesh once legitimate governance is reinstated and the rule of law is respected.

This statement reflects her broader argument that the current crisis is temporary and rooted in an illegitimate political arrangement rather than a permanent breakdown of democratic norms.

Questioning the legitimacy of upcoming elections

One of Hasina’s most pointed criticisms was directed at the planned elections under the interim government. With the Awami League barred from contesting, she dismissed the exercise as fundamentally flawed.

“An election without the Awami League is not an election, but a coronation,” she said, arguing that the exclusion of a party repeatedly elected by popular mandate strips the process of credibility.

She further stated that Yunus governs “without a single vote from the Bangladeshi people”, questioning how an unelected administration could justify sweeping political decisions, including attempts to ban major political parties.

Claims of politically motivated legal actions

Addressing renewed calls for her extradition following verdicts by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), Hasina dismissed these demands as politically motivated. She described the proceedings as a “kangaroo tribunal”, alleging that they were designed to delegitimise her leadership rather than deliver justice.

According to her, such actions reflect desperation within the interim administration and an attempt to distract from its governance failures. She reiterated that she left Bangladesh not to evade justice, but to prevent further bloodshed, asserting that her departure was an act of responsibility rather than fear.

India’s role and continued support

Hasina expressed gratitude for India’s continued hospitality and political support, noting that New Delhi’s stance had received backing across the Indian political spectrum. She highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and strategic ties between the two countries, describing them as fundamental and enduring.

She stressed that temporary political disruptions in Dhaka could not erase decades of cooperation in areas such as trade, security, water sharing, and regional connectivity. According to her, once democracy is restored in Bangladesh, relations with India will naturally return to their stable and constructive trajectory.

Strain in India-Bangladesh relations

On the recent strain in bilateral ties, including Dhaka’s decision to summon the Indian envoy, Hasina squarely blamed the interim government. She accused it of adopting an adversarial posture towards India, driven more by extremist pressure than national interest.

She warned that antagonising India is not only diplomatically unwise but also economically damaging, given Bangladesh’s reliance on India for trade routes, transit facilities, and regional stability.

Referring to provocative remarks by certain Bangladeshi leaders about strategic corridors such as the Siliguri Corridor, Hasina termed such statements dangerous and irresponsible, saying no serious leader would threaten a neighbour so vital to Bangladesh’s own prosperity.

Rising violence and breakdown of law and order

Hasina cited the killing of Sharif Usman Hadi as a stark example of the deteriorating law and order situation. According to her, violence has become increasingly normalised, while the interim government either denies its scale or proves incapable of controlling it.

She argued that persistent instability undermines Bangladesh’s international standing. “When you cannot maintain basic order within your borders, your credibility on the international stage collapses,” she said, warning that investor confidence and diplomatic trust are already being eroded.

Concerns over minorities and secularism

A significant portion of Hasina’s criticism focused on the treatment of religious minorities and the growing influence of Islamist forces in public life. She said millions of Bangladeshis share her concern about the erosion of the country’s secular character, which she described as one of its greatest strengths.

According to her allegations, extremists have been placed in cabinet positions, convicted terrorists released, and groups linked to international terror networks allowed space in governance. She warned that such trends should alarm not only India but all nations invested in South Asian stability.

Hasina emphasised that attacks on minorities and dissenting voices weaken the social fabric of Bangladesh and contradict the values on which the nation was founded.

Foreign policy concerns and regional stability

On reports of closer engagement between Bangladesh and Pakistan, Hasina reiterated that Bangladesh’s traditional foreign policy principle has been “friendship to all, malice toward none.” However, she criticised the interim leadership for making strategic moves without a democratic mandate.

She said Yunus has no right to realign Bangladesh’s foreign policy, as such decisions have long-term implications that extend far beyond the tenure of an interim government.

According to her, once Bangladeshis regain the right to vote freely, the country’s foreign policy will return to serving national interests rather than ideological agendas.

A broader warning for South Asia

Sheikh Hasina’s statements reflect more than a personal political defence; they serve as a broader warning about how democratic erosion, unchecked extremism, and weak governance can destabilise an entire region.

South Asia, already grappling with economic challenges, security threats, and geopolitical competition, cannot afford prolonged instability in one of its key countries. Hasina’s emphasis on democracy, constitutional order, and regional cooperation underscores the interconnected nature of political stability in the subcontinent.

Conclusion: A nation at a crossroads

Bangladesh today stands at a critical crossroads. The allegations raised by Sheikh Hasina paint a picture of a country struggling with legitimacy, security, and direction under an interim administration. Whether one agrees with her or not, her warnings highlight serious concerns that demand attention from both domestic stakeholders and international partners.

As violence continues and political tensions rise, the future of Bangladesh will depend on restoring democratic processes, safeguarding institutions, protecting minorities, and rebuilding trust with neighbours like India. Hasina’s message is clear: temporary power without a popular mandate cannot replace legitimate governance, and only the return of democracy can stabilise the nation and secure its place in the region.

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